12 years of creativity

What began as an experiment in Muirhouse in October 2006 as a pilot project for babies aged 0-3, a previously uncatered for audience, has gone through many different phases to emerge as an organisation that works in communities across Scotland using the arts to transform and enrich the lives of Scotland’s youngest citizens and their parents and carers.

We hope you enjoy this interactive journey through our history. Scroll down to begin the adventure.

2006

Starcatchers Pilot Project

The Starcatchers story starts in 2006 with the pilot project, which had the aims of exploring theatre for very young children in Scotland and also acted as a creative intervention between North Edinburgh Arts Centre and childcare settings in the community.

The Inspire Project 2009 – 2011

In 2009 Starcatchers embarked on the Inspire Project, a two year programme which saw 4 artists take up residencies in 4 different cultural venues across Scotland (Tramway, Platform, OnFife & The Byre Theatre).

Shake N’ Bake

Space Dust

We made a spaceship, dressed up and pretended to be aliens living in the crèche with children aged 0-4 for a week to see what the response would be and to listen to their suggestions to move the story on.

Baby Chill

Luvhart

Presented as a visually quirky and whimsical journey through the changing seasons, Luvhart is a humourous piece of physical theatre accompanied by live cello exploring what it feels like to be lonely and the importance of friendship.

Round In Circles

Luvhart

Presented as a visually quirky and whimsical journey through the changing seasons, Luvhart is a humourous piece of physical theatre accompanied by live cello exploring what it feels like to be lonely and the importance of friendship.

Multi-Coloured Blocks from Space

The Attic

The Attic was created by Hazel Darwin-Edwards during the Inspire Project at the Byre Theatre, Saint Andrews, and explores the relationship between a young girl, Lucy, and her Grandmother, as they rummage through suitcases and boxes up the dusty attic.

2012

The Playground

2013

Creative Skills Phase 1

Received funding to deliver pilot programme of Creative Skills training for Early Years professionals and childcare students. This programme was designed to encourage and nurture creativity in order to enhance children’s experiences of education from a very young age.

The News + Weather

2014

Blue Block Studio 2014

Blue Block Studio was an exciting, innovative programme of creative play and storytelling for babies and young children aged 0-4 and their grown-ups which visited 10 communities across Scotland as part of the Culture 2014 programme celebrating the Commonwealth Games.

A Small Story

2015

Play This Way

On Wednesday 18 November 2015 we helped The Scottish Government and Aileen Campbell MSP launch a new book by Tim Archbold called ‘Play This Way’, along with the help of children from Royal Mile Primary School.

Creative Skills Phase 2

The Shape of Things

In 2015, we developed a work in progress called The Shape of Things to a group of parents and babies in Edinburgh. We secured funding from Creative Scotland to tour the new re-developed piece for 6 months – 2 year olds in Autumn 2016.

The Creative Revolution

Expecting Something 2015/17

Expecting Something works with new, young and expectant parents under 25 and their babies in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh and Lochgelly, Fife, providing a weekly safe space to spend time with their babies and peers whilst engaging in artist-lead creative activities.

Talking Tales

Moving Matters: Play, Create, Imagine

Creative movement artist Skye Reynolds led a 5 month residency project at Hillend Children’s Centre in Greenock which aims to explore the impact consistent creative movement sessions has on the children, parents and staff.

2016

Toddle Tours with National Gallery Scotland

In Spring 2016 we offered 8 Toddle Tour sessions between the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (MOD1) which included creative play activities designed for children aged 2-5 to enjoy with their adult.

Blue Block Studio Tour

Moving Matters: Play, Create, Imagine

Creative movement artist Skye Reynolds led a 5 month residency project at Hillend Children’s Centre in Greenock which aims to explore the impact consistent creative movement sessions has on the children, parents and staff.